This Is Our Sex TalkSample

When I was in the fourth grade, I would rant to my mom about how some kids in my grade weren’t so nice all the time. And every time, she would pull out a bible verse that said something like, “love your enemy” or “love your neighbor as yourself.” And I would constantly struggle with that idea. Loving your enemy? Even if they aren’t so nice to you? Pfft. That’s crazy… But as I grew up, I realized that if I was nicer to people, their rudeness wouldn't get to me as much. Even though it’s hard, loving your enemy is the simplest resolution to problems like that. However, loving your enemies isn’t just about making your life easier because loving your enemy is more than just being nice. Love is genuine and unconditional, not based on a person's actions.

This past summer, I went on a mission trip to Tennessee with my youth group, where they talked about what it meant to FOLLOW Jesus and not just BELIEVE in Jesus. This is where I learned that the #1 thing that shows you are a disciple of Jesus is how you show love to everyone. People should be able to see Jesus through the way we treat people and love one another, regardless of the circumstance or our personal opinion about that person.

So, my challenge for you is to show you are a disciple by loving everyone around you and letting the light of Jesus spread to those you see. Spend some time today thinking about what people in your life you can do a better job of showing the genuine love of Jesus.